1972 Mini Cooper S

By Jay Hirsch

In 1959, a groundbreaking new subcompact two-door car emerged in England.

It used a transverse-mounted engine and an efficient, boxy, front-wheel-drive layout. With an overall length of 120 inches (10 feet), a wheelbase of 80 inches, and weighed in a 1,400 lbs, it was a true mini or micro car. Inside there was a surprising amount of useable space, not only for passengers but for cargo as well. The car was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis

One of the major design requirements of Sir Alex was that the passenger compartment be able to accommodate a “six foot tall person.” The passenger compartment comprised six feet of the 10-foot length of the car. Sir Alex departed from automobile tradition by having the engine mounted “transversely.” The Mini had a four-speed manual transmission, and in 1964 front disc brakes became standard. Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration.

The Mini was affordable, fun to drive, and easy to park. It quickly achieved icon status around the world. That car world was to include the United States. Part of the Mini’s popularity in the U.S. was due to in a small part to the “counter culture” era of the 1960s. …

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